Bazaars in Samarkand The most exiting oriental market in Samarkand

The area of today's central market of Samarkand was the southern trading and crafts suburb of the city in 8th and 13th centuries. By the late 13th to early 14th centuries this territory had become a focus for urban revival after the extinction of life on Afrasiab.

Craft workshops and trading stalls, warehouses and caravansarais located between Registan and Afrasiab were the busy center of public life in Samarkand until the beginning of the last century. Public holidays were usually held near these places, and merchants from China, India and Iran met there to buy and exchange goods.

Situated next to the mosque and mausoleum of Bibi-Khanum, the central market of Samarkand no longer has its old buildings, but still keeps alive the spirit of the ancient trading culture of the great city, with dried fruits and nuts, traditional sweets, honey and dairy products and bread.

The many chai-khanas (pavilions for tea drinking) nearby are filled with the atmosphere of traditional Samarkand hospitality.

And finally, the characteristic Samarkand bread - "obi-non", baked in clay furnaces, is on sale in the market. This round type of bread which looks like the Sun's disk is famous for its special taste and the originality of its decoration.